The first game of the Western Conference play-in tournament will take place at crypto.com Arena, when the Minnesota Timberwolves visit the Los Angeles Lakers. Minnesota made it through the play-in tournament to reach the first round of the playoffs last season, but they are dealing with some internal chemistry issues going into this year’s play-in. Meanwhile, the Lakers are red-hot and are favored to win this game at home to set up a first round matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
We will now preview the game plus our betting prediction for this Western Conference basketball contest. Keep reading for NBA betting lines, analysis, and a free pick for Timberwolves vs. Lakers.
NBA Play-In Tournament: Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers | MyBookie NBA Preview
NBA Odds: Lakers -7 / Timberwolves +235 / Lakers +285 / O/U 229
When: Tuesday, April 11 at 10:00 pm ET
Where: crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
TV / Streaming: TNT
NBA Play-In – West – 7th Place vs 8th Place
Minnesota Timberwolves (42-40, eighth in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (43-39, seventh in the Western Conference)
Why Bet on Timberwolves versus Lakers?
Going into the play-in tournament, the Minnesota Timberwolves have more off-court concerns than on-court concerns. In their final regular season game, the Timberwolves saw a fight break out between center Rudy Gobert and forward Kyle Anderson, one which involved Gobert shoving Anderson in a huddle. Gobert was sent home, and may not be involved in this game as a result of his actions.
Without Gobert, the Wolves could be a better offensive team than they are normally, as Gobert is a liability on that end of the floor. But the Timberwolves could also take a huge step back on the defensive end of the floor without their leading rebounder and shot blocker. Karl-Anthony Towns will really need to step up and help his team get some stops at the rim should Gobert not play.
Minnesota Timberwolves Offensive Averages
- Points/G: 115.8
- FG %: 56.0
- 3PT %: 33.3
- FT %: 75.5
- Rebounds/G: 50.0
Minnesota Timberwolves Defensive Averages
- Points/G: 115.8
- FG %: 54.0
- 3PT %: 33.3
- FT %: 76.6
- Rebounds/G: 53.3
Why Bet on Lakers versus Timberwolves?
The Los Angeles Lakers finished the regular season strong, moving up to seventh place in the Western Conference standings. That earned them home-court advantage in the play-in tournament, which they hope will come in handy on Tuesday against the Timberwolves. With the way the Lakers have been playing of late, the Lakers will be expected to get the job done to secure their spot in the first round of the postseason.
Anthony Davis is going to be expected to have a huge game, especially with Rudy Gobert’s status uncertain on Minnesota’s side. Davis has recorded a double-double in four straight games, and has averaged 38.0 points per game in two games against Minnesota this season. If he can feast in the paint again on Tuesday night, the Lakers could cruise at home against the reeling Timberwolves.
Los Angeles Lakers Offensive Averages
- Points/G: 117.2
- FG %: 54.2
- 3PT %: 31.2
- FT %: 77.5
- Rebounds/G: 54.2
Los Angeles Lakers Defensive Averages
- Points/G: 116.6
- FG %: 53.5
- 3PT %: 36.5
- FT %: 77.3
- Rebounds/G: 52.5
Minnesota at Los Angeles Betting Trends
- The Minnesota Timberwolves have not hit the Moneyline in 5 of their last 10 Home games
- In the last 5 of 10 Away games, the Minnesota Timberwolves have not hit the Moneyline bet
- The Minnesota Timberwolves have not hit the Moneyline in 10 of their last 20 games
- In the last 6 of 11 Home games, the Los Angeles Lakers have not covered the Moneyline bet
- The Los Angeles Lakers have not covered the Moneyline in 6 of their last 9 Away games
- In the last 12 of 20 games, the Los Angeles Lakers have not covered the Moneyline bet
Starting Lineups
Minnesota Timberwolves
Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Kyle Anderson, Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert
Los Angeles Lakers
D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, LeBron James, Anthony Davis
Injuries
Minnesota Timberwolves
Naz Reid (wrist – out), Jaylen Nowell (knee – day to day), Jaden McDaniels (hand – day to day)
Los Angeles Lakers
Dennis Schroder (knee – day to day)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds and Prediction
The number one key to this game for the Timberwolves is going to be keeping their composure, which is clearly an issue. Between Gobert going at it with Anderson, and Jaden McDaniels breaking his hand punching a wall on Sunday, the Wolves are a mess. If they don’t turn things around in a hurry, the Wolves could be one and done in this year’s play-in tournament.
For the Lakers, the number one key to this game is going to be making sure that they remain sound on the defensive end of the floor. While the Lakers are favored and clearly in a better place going into this game, defensive lapses could allow Anthony Edwards and the Wolves to get hot and steal this game. Even though the loser of this game will get a second chance in the play-in tournament, Los Angeles needs to play with a sense of urgency to avoid any unnecessary drama.
NBA Play-In Tournament | Bet Timberwolves @ Lakers Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
2023 NBA Playoffs schedule
Tuesday, April 11
- Play-In Game 1: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
- Play-In Game 2: (8) Minnesota Timberwolves at (7) Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
Wednesday, April 12
- Play-In Game 3: (10) Chicago Bulls at (9) Toronto Raptors, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Play-In Game 4: (10) Oklahoma City Thunder at (9) New Orleans Pelicans, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Friday, April 14
- Play-In Game 5: Game 3 winner at Game 1 loser, 7 or 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
- Play-In Game 6: Game 4 winner at Game 2 loser, 9:30 or 10 p.m. ET, ESPN
Saturday, April 15
- (6) Brooklyn Nets at (3) Philadelphia 76ers, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
- (7) Heat or Hawks at (2) Boston Celtics, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- (5) New York Knicks at (4) Cleveland Cavaliers, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN
- (6) Golden State Warriors at (2) Sacramento Kings, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Sunday, April 16
- (8) East at (1) Milwaukee Bucks, TBD, TBD
- (8) West at (1) Denver Nuggets, TBD, TBD
- (7) Lakers or Minnesota Timberwolves at (2) Memphis Grizzlies, TBD, TBD
- (5) Los Angeles Clippers at (4) Phoenix Suns, TBD, TBD
Stephen A. expects the Lakers to lock-in the 7th seed and make the NBA Playoffs | 2023 NBA Season
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